Latest Mysteries from Acclaimed “No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” Author

It might be unusual to review two novels by the same author at the same time but The Great Hippopotamus Hotel and The Conditions of Unconditional Love were published within the short span of four months — with both read within five days and too good not to laud together.

This reviewer has read nearly everything written by rightfully acclaimed author Sir Alexander McCall Smith and was struck by the surprising similarities between the two protagonists.

A Detective and an Amateur Sleuth

Superficially, one might not be inclined to think so for Mma Precious Ramotswe and Isabel Dalhousie, Ph.D. live on different continents: Gaborone, Botswana and Edinburgh, Scotland are approximately 5,500 miles apart.

Moreover, they would seem to have little in common in their educational and cultural backgrounds. Isabel is a learned scholar with a doctorate in philosophy and is the publisher and editor of Review of Applied Ethics, an academic quarterly magazine. However, she regularly serves as an amateur sleuth for she cannot restrain herself from helping others which her loving husband finds endearing. She often quotes her favorite poets, among them, W.H. Auden.

Precious, of course, founded the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency many years ago based on her careful study of the self-published The Principles of Private Detection written by Clovis Andersen of Muncie, Indiana whose work provides the guiding principles for her small office.

Both women are moral philosophers as well as detectives which impels them to helpfully intervene in various situations. They are kind, compassionate and considerate of the feelings of others. Though each has a strong work ethic, results are achieved by reflecting on possible solutions in a calm, relaxed manner while working at a leisurely pace with frequent breaks for tea and conversations. Isabel’s “sainted American mother” had told her, “Get the small things right. Get those right and the rest will follow,” which certainly applies to Precious as well. There is no doubt they would become friends were they to meet.

There are other parallels in the lives of these two worthies: both are orphaned since their beloved fathers died leaving them substantial inheritances, homeowners, married to adoring men who deeply respect them, each with two children, businesswomen who retained their maiden names, and both are assisted by strong women named Grace.

The Two Graces

Mma Grace Makutsi, who achieved the admirable and still top 97% graduation score from the Botswana Secretarial College, changed her life permanently for the better when she first walked into the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency at the outset of the series in 1998. She became Mma Precious Ramotswe’s first employee, then friend and later partner, rising from dire poverty to marriage with successful furniture store owner Phuti Radhiphuti. They have a bonny toddler son and Grace has the luxury of dressing well and buying as many shoes as she desires.

On occasions, certain shoes have been heard to speak to her, offering advice on pending cases. She remains vocally opinionated, continues to vehemently detest former classmate Violet Sephotho who manages to show up in a villainous role in each book, and is a fiercely loyal friend.

Across the miles in Scotland, Isabel Dalhousie not only inherited from her father a rather grand, elegantly furnished home in a choice Edinburgh neighborhood but also Grace, his trusted long-time housekeeper.

She is a no-nonsense, frank-speaking Scotswoman who strives to keep Isabel, her husband Jamie, and their two young sons in line. She is also a dear friend and confidante who serves as a sounding board when not remonstrating. She cooks, cleans and willingly tends to the boys, all the while offering her opinions on everything both in and outside of the household.

Grace is also a devout spiritualist who regularly attends meetings and séances. Isabel’s husband Jamie is a symphonic bassoonist, quite handsome and a few years younger.  Precious is happily married to Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni who is a garage owner and highly respected mechanic. Their marriages and lives are harmonious.

No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’s Hardest Case Yet

The Great Hippopotamus Hotel is the 25th book in the always delightful No. 1 Detective Agency series. Author Sir Alexander McCall Smith has thoughtfully provided a summary of the previous 24 novels to bring old and new fans up-to-date. The primary case in this book may be the most challenging one to date.

Someone seems determined to destroy the reputation of the finest hotel in Gaborone. The manager calls upon Mma Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi to investigate. There have been several cases of food poisoning and before the case is solved, Precious Ramotswe is stricken with a severe bout of e-coli which renders her weak and bedridden at home.

This allows Grace to follow her instincts while investigating independently. Laundry has been stolen and a guest is stung by a scorpion. The two detectives consider the possible motives of the owners and the manager to determine who would benefit most from the business declining or failing.

Luxury Sports Cars and Orphanages

Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is rightfully concerned about his wife’s illness and confounded by his wealthy client Mr. Mahala’s insistent request he secretly locate and purchase a luxury sports car for him.

This is awkward as he could lose a significant amount of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motor’s much-needed income from servicing the client’s business fleet should he decline. If his client’s wife found out he was aiding her husband in concealing an extravagant purchase from her there could be other dire consequences. Was he abetting a midlife crisis or was this a cry for freedom from a controlling spouse that Mma Ramotswe could put to rights?

At least one visit will be made to Mma Potokwane, the director of the large orphanage on the outskirts of town. She has a new house mother who was connected with the Great Hippopotamus Hotel. This woman is an excellent fit for the orphanage; in addition to being a wonderful cook, she is making great strides with a traumatized child who hesitates to speak.

Conversations are best when accompanied by large slabs of fruitcake served with red bush tea. Infinite kindness and wisdom will prevail as surely as the detectives and mechanics will pause for cups of tea and fat cakes (doughnuts typical in Botswana). The Great Hippopotamus Hotel will come to a satisfactory conclusion leaving the reader to wait another year to return to Botswana and the clear blue African skies.

The Beginning of Isabel Dalhousie’s Story

The Conditions of Unconditional Love is the 15th novel in the Isabel Dalhousie series which began in 2004 with The Sunday Philosophy Club.

Isabel witnessed a man fall to his death from the upper balcony in Usher Hall where she was attending a concert with her niece Cat. Was it murder or a tragic accident? Despite advice to leave it to the police to investigate, the ever-curious Isabel is launched on her avocation as an amateur detective. Her subsequent “cases” or problems to solve don’t involve murder but nevertheless offer equally challenging situations of crucial importance to the individuals involved.

Readers were instantly drawn to this quiet, intellectual woman with a huge heart and an uncanny capability to solve problems. Chief among the many changes in Isabel’s life since the series began is the addition of her adoring husband Jamie and their two young sons Charlie and Magnus. This calm and almost overly cautious philosopher required a very long time to be won over to the idea of marriage to a younger man especially one who was a professional musician.

They are in love, well suited, and clearly intellectual equals, but in Book 1, Jamie had been her niece Cat’s boyfriend. The mercurial Cat who flits through men as frequently as a cold sufferer tears through a box of tissues was unperturbed by her aunt’s romance. The two women are similar in age and Isabel is often called upon to help out in Cat’s successful deli and sandwich shop.

A Layered Mystery

There are several issues to consider in The Conditions of Unconditional Love, chief among them is a possible breach of ethics involving the annoying Professor Robert Lettuce, a regular contributor to the Review of Applied Ethics.

Lettuce appears to be taking advantage of a nonprofit foundation demanding an exorbitant honorarium for leading a proposed conference on “Vice and Virtues.” Isabel feels she must give him the benefit of the doubt but investigates thoroughly before arriving at a satisfactory resolution.

They have a mysterious and somewhat troubling houseguest named Dawn that housekeeper Grace can barely tolerate. She is a member of the same orchestra as Jamie and, after an awkward break-up with a boyfriend, needed a place to stay for an indeterminate amount of time. Cat is suddenly at odds with Isabel after learning that her newest beau, Gordon, suddenly disappeared not long after conversing with Isabel at the deli.

Gordon conveyed he was of the opinion that Cat was a virtuous woman of nearly chaste maidenhood and Cat was concerned Isabel had accurately disabused him of that erroneous notion. In reality, Gordon’s character is more in keeping with some previous boyfriends; the law was after him for questioning.

Uplifting and Beautifully Phrased Novels

Gentle readers, please be assured all will be well before this charming novel comes to an end with the little boys asleep in their beds and their parents savoring a nice glass of wine with their risotto. Peace reigns once again in Edinburgh.

Sir Alexander McCall Smith always succeeds in making the world a brighter, calmer, more optimistic place, and each resident thoroughly loves their country and their fellow man. He deserves every accolade and honor for his uplifting, beautifully phrased works. 

You can purchase The Great Hippopotamus Hotel and The Conditions of Unconditional Love on Amazon.